Multiple input multiple output antenna module and associated method

ABSTRACT

A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna module, comprising a first signal feed port coupled to a first antenna element disposed along a first edge of a PCB, a second signal feed port coupled to a second antenna element disposed on the PCB and a transceiver operable to be selectively coupled to either or both of the first and second signal feed ports. The first and second antenna elements form a plurality of antenna elements confined to a peripheral section surrounding a central region of the PCB of the MIMO antenna module.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120 & 37 C.F.R. §1.78

This nonprovisional application is a divisional application claiming thebenefit of the following prior United States patent applicationentitled: “MULTIPLE INPUT MULTIPLE OUTPUT ANTENNA MODULE AND ASSOCIATEDMETHOD”, application Ser. No. 12/834,675, filed on Jul. 12, 2010,pending, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present patent disclosure generally relates to antennas. Moreparticularly, and not by way of any limitation, the present patentdisclosure is directed to a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)antenna assembly and associated method.

BACKGROUND

Recently, there has been an increasing thrust in the application ofinternal antennas in wireless communications devices. The concept of aninternal antenna stems from the avoidance of using an external radiatingelement through the integration of the antenna into the communicationsdevice itself. Internal antennas have several advantageous features suchas being less prone to external damage, a reduction in overall size ofthe communications device with optimization, and easy portability. Inmost internal antennas, the printed circuit board of the communicationsdevice serves as the ground plane of the internal antenna.

Current antenna solutions for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)applications require multiple antennas. While multiple antennas providenumerous benefits, they present numerous design challenges, as well. Onesuch challenge is mutual coupling between the antennas, which can resultin wasted power when transmitting and a lower received power fromincoming signals. In MIMO technologies such as Long Term Evolution(LTE), where two receive antennas are required, cross-coupling effectscan be highly undesirable since effective MIMO performance requiresrelatively low correlation between each of the received signals of themultiple antennas. When multiple antennas are used within a mobilehandheld device, the signals received by each of the antennas may beundesirably correlated, due to the tight confines typical of the compactdevices that are favored by consumers. This can considerably affect MIMOperformance. Accordingly, minimal coupling between antennas in MIMOantenna arrays is preferred to increase system efficiency and batterylife, and thereby improve received signal quality. In order to optimizethe characteristics of MIMO antenna arrays, a significant level oftesting is generally required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present patentdisclosure may be had by reference to the following Detailed Descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a functional block diagram of an example wireless userequipment (UE) device suitable for use with a multiple input multipleoutput (MIMO) antenna module of the present patent application;

FIG. 2 depicts a MIMO antenna testing module in a schematicrepresentation;

FIG. 3 depicts one example embodiment of a MIMO antenna module in afrontal view representation;

FIG. 4 depicts a second example embodiment of a MIMO antenna module in afrontal view representation;

FIG. 5 depicts a third example embodiment of a MIMO antenna module in afrontal view representation;

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart showing certain steps performed in theprocess of testing a MIMO antenna module;

FIGS. 7A-7C depict E-theta and E-phi patterns for the antenna of FIG. 3in a first configuration;

FIGS. 8A-8C depict E-theta and E-phi patterns for the antenna of FIG. 3in a second configuration;

FIGS. 9A-9C depict E-theta and E-phi patterns for the antenna of FIG. 3in a third configuration; and

FIGS. 10A-10C depict E-theta and E-phi patterns for the antenna of FIG.3 in a fourth configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present patent disclosure is broadly directed to various embodimentsof a highly optimizable multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennamodule for multiple applications. The MIMO antenna module isparticularly well-adapted to efficiently testing a variety of antennadesigns in a short period of time, but the teachings herein may beemployed within a variety of contexts.

In one aspect, an embodiment of a MIMO antenna module is disclosed whichcomprises a first signal feed port, coupled to a first antenna elementon the antenna array board; a second signal feed port, coupled to asecond antenna element, disposed on the antenna array board; and atransceiver operable to be selectively coupled to either or both of thefirst and second signal feed ports.

In another aspect, a MIMO antenna module of the present disclosurecomprises a first antenna element, having a feed port, disposed on aperipheral region of a planar surface; a second antenna element disposedon the peripheral region of the planar surface, having a feed port,disposed on the planar surface; a first transceiver operable to beselectively coupled to either or both of the first and second antennaelements; and a second transceiver operable to be selectively coupled toeither or both of the first and second antenna elements.

In another aspect, a method is disclosed for testing a MIMO antennamodule comprising an array of antenna elements. The method comprisesselecting, from the array of antenna elements, a set of antenna elementsfor testing; selecting a set of signal parameters; and transmitting asignal meeting the signal parameters via the selected set of antennaelements.

Embodiments of apparatus and associated method relating to a MIMO moduleor assembly thereof of the present patent disclosure will now bedescribed with reference to various examples of how the embodiments canbest be made and used. Like reference numerals are used throughout thedescription and several views of the drawings to indicate like orcorresponding parts to the extent feasible, wherein the various elementsmay not necessarily be drawn to scale.

As noted, the MIMO antenna modules of the present disclosure aredesigned to be used with wireless user equipment (UE) devices. Referringnow to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, depicted thereinis a functional block diagram of an example wireless UE device 100suitable for use with the MIMO antenna modules and methods referencedherein. Without any limitation, UE 100 may comprise any mobilecommunications device that is capable of conducting wirelesscommunications.

UE 100 may be operable with any frequency range or ranges of a wide areacellular network (WACN) technology such as, e.g., a General Packet RadioService (GPRS) network, an Enhanced Data Rates for Global System forMobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE) network, a 3^(rd) or 4^(th)Generation network, an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN), aCode Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) network, a Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (UTRAN), or any Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network. Inaddition, UE 100 may also effectuate wireless communications in afrequency range or ranges according to such standards as, e.g., thewell-known Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)standards, like IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards or other related standardssuch as HiperLan standard, HiperLan II standard, Wi-Max standard,OpenAir standard, and Bluetooth standard.

A microprocessor 102 providing for the overall control of UE 100 isoperably coupled to a communication subsystem 104, which includesappropriate receivers 108 and transmitters 114 as well as associatedcomponents such as antenna elements 106, 116 that can be representativeor illustrative of a MIMO antenna module embodiment describedhereinbelow. It will be recognized that appropriate GPS receivercircuitry may also be provided as part of the communication subsystem.In addition, communication subsystem 104 may include one or more localoscillator (LO) modules 110 and processing modules such as digitalsignal processors (DSP) 112, for operating with multiple accesstechnologies in different bands. As will be apparent to those skilled inthe field of communications, the particular design of the communicationmodule 104 may be dependent upon the communications network(s) withwhich the device is intended to operate, e.g., as exemplified byinfrastructure elements 160 and 162.

Microprocessor 102 also interfaces with further device subsystems suchas auxiliary input/output (I/O) 118, serial port 120, display 122,keyboard 124, speaker 126, microphone 128, random access memory (RAM)130, other communications facilities 132, which may include for examplea short-range communications subsystem, and any other device subsystemsgenerally labeled as reference numeral 134. To support access as well asauthentication and key generation, a SIM/RUIM interface 136 is alsoprovided in communication with the microprocessor 102.

Operating system software and other system software may be embodied in apersistent storage module 138 (i.e., non-volatile storage) which may beimplemented using Flash memory or another appropriate memory. In oneimplementation, persistent storage module 138 may be segregated intodifferent areas, e.g., transport stack 142, storage area for computerprograms 144, as well as data storage regions such as device state 146,address book 148, other personal information manager (PIM) data 150, andother data storage areas generally labeled as reference numeral 152.Additionally, the persistent memory may include appropriatesoftware/firmware necessary to effectuate communications in conjunctionwith one or more subsystems set forth herein under control of themicroprocessor 102.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general concept for atesting apparatus incorporating the MIMO antenna structures of thepresent disclosure. A generally-rectangular printed circuit board 200comprises a central region 202 surrounded by a peripheral region 204.According to the teachings set forth in the present disclosure,peripheral region 204 is employed for the placement of multiple antennaelements, while central region 202 may be reserved for other functions.The antenna elements may be disposed within the front plane of theprinted circuit board 200, within the edge planes normal to the frontplane of the printed circuit board, or both.

The testing apparatus set forth in FIG. 2 incorporates a set oftransceivers 208, 210, 212 operably connected to a radio-frequencymultiplexer (RF MUX) 214. Using RF MUX 214, any one of transceivers 208,210, 212 may be operably connected to any one or more of the radiatingelements disposed on printed circuit board 200. Transceivers 208, 210,212 may incorporate circuitry enabling them to generate signalscorresponding to the signals required by the application for which theantenna is being employed. Such circuitry may include, but is notlimited to, Bluetooth-compatible transceiver circuitry adapted tooperate in a 2.4 GHz band, WiFi-compatible transceiver circuitry adaptedto operate in the 2.4 GHz band and wide area cellular network(WACN)-compatible transceiver circuitry adapted to operate in a GPSfrequency range.

Certain teachings of the present disclosure may be particularly usefulin the course of the product development process. Using the apparatus ofFIG. 2, varying combinations of radiating elements disposed on printedcircuit board 200 may be efficiently tested within a short time frame.In the course of development of an antenna design, it is common practiceto develop a theoretical antenna design first, and then proceed tofabricate a prototype and test the prototype under different conditions.Based on the performance of the prototype, the design may be furtherrefined, and one or more subsequent prototypes may be fabricated andtested. The fabrication of multiple rounds of antenna prototypes can addsignificantly to the antenna design cycle. In order to shorten theantenna design cycle, the present disclosure may be employed to quicklyand efficiently test a wide variety of antenna design and configurationoptions in short order, as set forth in further detail below.

While the present disclosure is particularly well-adapted to testing anddevelopment, those of skill in the art will recognize that the teachingsof the present disclosure are adaptable to a variety of useful purposes.When incorporated into a mobile communication device such as UE 100 ofFIG. 1, certain of the present teachings may be employed to optimizewireless communication characteristics of the UE 100 and therebyoptimize performance.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of an antenna array board 300 incorporating aset of slot elements in its peripheral region. Antenna array board 300comprises a conductive layer 302 disposed on a non-conductive layer 304.In certain embodiments, the conductive layer 302 may be copper and thenon-conductive layer 304 may be a glass-fiber reinforced polymer,although other materials may be used. Antenna array board 300 comprisesa first straight slot element 306, a second straight slot element 308, athird straight slot element 310 and a fourth straight slot element 312,each disposed in one of the four corners of the generally-rectangularantenna array board 300. Straight slot elements 306 and 310 aresubstantially aligned to the left and right edges of antenna array board300, while straight slot elements 308 and 312 are substantially-alignedto the top and bottom edges of antenna array board 300. Each of the slotelements comprises an extended linear aperture from the front of antennaarray board 300 through the conductive layer 302 to the non-conductivelayer 304. In certain embodiments, straight slot elements 306, 308, 310,312 may extend into the non-conductive layer 304, as well.

Straight slot element 306 comprises a straight slot 314 running parallelto the left edge of antenna array board 300 from the top edge of antennaarray board 300 toward the center thereof. Straight slot 314 is boundedby a conductive strip 316 disposed between the straight slot 314 and theleft edge of antenna array board 300. The width of the conducting strip316 may be adjusted to optimize antenna resonance frequency andbandwidth. Straight slot element 306 is fed by signal feed port 318disposed near the end of straight slot 314 furthest from the upper edgeof antenna array board 300. Signal feed port 318 comprises a pair ofcontacts on the conductive layer 302 on opposite sides of straight slot314.

Straight slot element 308 comprises a straight slot 320 running parallelto the top edge of antenna array board 300 from the right edge ofantenna array board 300 toward the center thereof. Straight slot 320 isbounded by a conductive strip 322 disposed between the straight slot 320and the upper edge of antenna array board 300. Straight slot element 308is fed by a signal feed port 324 disposed near the end of straight slot320 furthest from the right edge of antenna array board 300.

Straight slot element 310 comprises a straight slot 330 running parallelto the right edge of antenna array board 300 from the bottom edge ofantenna array board 300 toward the center thereof. Straight slot 330 isbounded by a conductive strip 332 disposed between the straight slot 330and the right edge of antenna array board 300. Straight slot element 310is fed by a signal feed port 334 disposed near the end of straight slot330 furthest from the bottom edge of antenna array board 300.

Straight slot element 312 comprises a straight slot 340 running parallelto the bottom edge of antenna array board 300 from the left edge ofantenna array board 300 toward the center thereof. Straight slot 340 isbounded by a conductive strip 342 disposed between the straight slot 340and the bottom edge of antenna array board 300. Straight slot element312 is fed by a signal feed port 344 disposed near the end of straightslot 340 furthest from the left edge of antenna array board 300.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the length, widthand other characteristics of the slot elements described herein, as wellas the optimal placement of the signal feed ports, will be determinedaccording to the design criteria for the antenna array board 300. Thedimensions of the slot elements, their shape and their location withrespect to the any edge of the antenna array board 300 can be adjustedto optimize the resonance frequency, bandwidth, impedance matching,directivity, and other antenna performance parameters. The length of theslot elements will generally be approximately a quarter of a wavelengthof the principal operating frequency for signal for which the element isdesigned, but may vary according to the particular application. Incertain embodiments, corresponding elements may have identical shapesand dimensions, but certain other embodiments may not employcorresponding elements having identical shapes or dimensions. As notedabove in connection with FIG. 2, alternate embodiments may includeadditional elements, either within the front plane of antenna arrayboard 300, within the edge planes normal to the front plane of theprinted circuit board, or both. All of these variations are well-knownto those of skill in the art of antenna design.

According to the teachings of the present disclosure, one or more ofstraight slot elements 306, 308, 310, 312 may be selectively coupled toone or more transceivers at a given time, thereby enabling the wirelesscharacteristics of a mobile communication device or other communicationsapparatus to be varied and optimized according to conditions. Thisselective coupling may be accomplished by means of diode switches orother technology well-known to those of skill in the art. Those of skillin the art will recognize that there is nothing whatsoever in the spiritand scope of the present disclosure limiting it to use with slotelements, and the teachings of the present disclosure may be employed inconnection with a wide variety of antenna element types.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of an antenna array board 400 incorporating apair of L-slot elements. Antenna array board 400 comprises a conductivelayer 402 disposed on, a non-conductive layer 404. In certainembodiments, the conductive layer 402 may be copper and thenon-conductive layer 404 may be a glass-fiber reinforced polymer,although other materials may be used. Antenna array board 400 comprisesa first L-slot element 406 and a second L-slot element 408. The longerinternal leg of each of L-slot elements 406 and 408 is substantiallyaligned to the parallel left and right edges of antenna array board 300,while the shorter outer legs run perpendicular thereto. Each of the slotelements comprises an extended L-shaped aperture from the front ofantenna array board 400 through the conductive layer 402 to thenon-conductive layer 404. In certain embodiments, the slot elements mayextend into the non-conductive layer 404, as well.

L-slot element 406 comprises an L-slot 414 having a shorter outersegment and a longer inner segment. The outer segment of L-slot 414 runsfrom, and perpendicular to, the left edge of antenna array board 400toward the center thereof. The inner segment of L-slot 414 runsperpendicular to the outer segment and parallel to the left edge ofantenna array board 400. L-slot 414 is bounded by a conductive strip 416disposed between the L-slot 414 and the left edge of antenna array board400. L-slot element 406 is fed by signal feed port 418 disposed near theinterior end of L-slot 414.

L-slot element 408 comprises an L-slot 420 having a shorter outersegment and a longer inner segment. The outer segment of L-slot 420 runsfrom, and perpendicular to, the right edge of antenna array board 400toward the center thereof. The inner segment of L-slot 420 runsperpendicular to the outer segment and parallel to the right edge ofantenna array board 400. L-slot 420 is bounded by a conductive strip 422disposed between the L-slot 420 and the right edge of antenna arrayboard 400. L-slot element 408 is fed by signal feed port 424 disposednear the interior end of L-slot 414.

As noted above with respect to antenna array panel 300, either or bothof L-slot elements 406, 408 may be selectively coupled to one or moretransceivers 104 at a given time, thereby enabling the wirelesscharacteristics of a mobile communication device such as UE 100 or othercommunications apparatus to be varied and optimized according toconditions. As noted above in connection with FIG. 3, those of skill inthe art will recognize that there is nothing whatsoever within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure limiting it to use with slotelements, and the teachings of the present disclosure may be employed inconnection with a wide variety of antenna element types. As noted abovein connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, alternate embodiments may includeadditional elements, either within the front plane of antenna arrayboard 400, within the edge planes normal to the front plane of theprinted circuit board, or both.

FIG. 5 is a frontal view of an antenna array board 500 operable to beemployed in the apparatus set forth in FIG. 2. Antenna array board 500comprises a conductive layer 502 disposed on a non-conductive layer 504.In certain embodiments, the conductive layer 502 may be copper and thenon-conductive layer 504 may be a glass-fiber reinforced polymer,although other materials may be used. Antenna array board 500 comprisesa wide variety of elements, as set forth in detail below. The elementscomprise a variety of shaped apertures extending from the front ofantenna array board 500 through the conductive layer 502 to thenon-conductive layer 504. In certain embodiments, the shaped aperturesmay extend into the non-conductive layer 504, as well. The rectangulargeometry of the antenna array board 500 is substantially defined byperipheral edges YL, YR, XB and XT. Peripheral edges YL and YR runparallel to centerline axis Y, which runs down the center of the antennaarray board 500 along its major axis. Peripheral edges XB and XT runparallel to centerline axis X, which runs down the center of the antennaarray board 500 along its minor axis and orthogonal to centerline axisY.

As noted, antenna array board 500 incorporates a wide variety ofelements of varying types, and thus is operable to be employed in a widevariety of applications. The elements include straight slots 510, 512,T-slot elements 514, 516, 532, 540, L-slots 518, 520, 534, 538,T-and-slot element 526, Y-slot element 524 and slot element 536.

The upper portion of antenna array board 500 houses two straight slots510, 512 separated by a T-slot element 514. Straight slot 510 runsparallel to the upper edge of antenna array board 500 from the left edgeof antenna array board 500 toward the center thereof. Straight slot 510is bounded by a conductive strip 574 disposed between the straight slot510 and the upper edge of antenna array board 500. Straight slot 510 isfed by a signal feed port 576 disposed near the inboard end of straightslot 510 furthest from the left edge of antenna array board 500.

Straight slot 512 runs parallel to the upper edge of antenna array board500 from the right edge of antenna array board 500 toward the centerthereof. Straight slot 512 is bounded by a conductive strip 542 disposedbetween the straight slot 512 and the upper edge of antenna array board500. Straight slot 512 is fed by a signal feed port 544 disposed nearthe inboard end of straight slot 512 furthest from the right edge ofantenna array board 500.

T-slot element 514 is interposed between straight slot 510 and straightslot 512 along the upper edge of antenna array board 500. T-slot element514 extends from the upper edge of antenna array board 500 to a pointbelow straight slots 510, 512. T-slot element 514 is narrower in theregion immediately between straight slots 510, 512 and wider in theregion below straight slots 510, 512.

A pair of L-slots 518, 520 and a pair of T-slot elements 516, 522 aredisposed along the right edge of antenna array board 500. L-slot 518incorporates a shorter outer segment and a longer inner segment. Theouter segment of L-slot 518 runs from the right edge of antenna arrayboard 500 toward the center thereof. The inner segment of L-slot 518runs perpendicular to the outer segment and parallel to the right edgeof antenna array board 500. L-slot 518 is bounded by a conductive strip546 disposed between the L-slot 518 and the right edge of antenna arrayboard 500. L-slot 518 is fed by a signal feed port 548 disposed near theupper end of L-slot 518.

Similarly to L-slot 518, L-slot 520 also incorporates a shorter outersegment and a longer inner segment. The outer segment of L-slot 520 runsfrom the right edge of antenna array board 500 toward the centerthereof. The inner segment of L-slot 520 runs perpendicular to the outersegment and parallel to the right edge of antenna array board 500.L-slot 520 is bounded by a conductive strip 550 disposed between theL-slot 520 and the right edge of antenna array board 500. L-slot 520 isfed by a signal feed port 552 disposed near the lower end of L-slot 520.

T-slot element 516 is interposed between L-slot 518 and straight slot512 along the right edge of antenna array board 500. T-slot element 514extends from the right edge of antenna array board 500 to a point insideof the innermost extents of L-slots 518, 520. T-slot element 516 isnarrower in the region adjacent to L-slot 518 and wider in the regioninside of the inward extent of L-slot 518.

T-slot element 522 is interposed between L-slot 520 and Y-slot element524 along the right edge of antenna array board 500. T-slot element 514extends from the right edge of antenna array board 500 to a point insideof the innermost extents of L-slots 518, 520. T-slot element 522 isnarrower in the region adjacent to L-slot 520 and wider in the regioninside of the inward extent of L-slot 520. Those of skill in the artwill note that T-slot element 522 incorporates a signal feed port 554adjacent to the lower end of the aperture.

A pair of L-slots 534, 538, a pair of T-slot elements 532, 540 and astraight slot element 536 are disposed along the left edge of antennaarray board 500. L-slot 534 incorporates a shorter outer segment and alonger inner segment. The outer segment of L-slot 534 runs from the leftedge of antenna array board 500 toward the center thereof. The innersegment of L-slot 534 runs perpendicular to the outer segment andparallel to the left edge of antenna array board 500. L-slot 534 isbounded by a conductive strip 566 disposed between the L-slot 534 andthe left edge of antenna array board 500. L-slot 534 is fed by a signalfeed port 568 disposed near the lower end of L-slot 534.

L-slot 538 incorporates a shorter outer segment and a longer innersegment. The outer segment of L-slot 538 runs from the left edge ofantenna array board 500 toward the center thereof. The inner segment ofL-slot 538 runs perpendicular to the outer segment and parallel to theleft edge of antenna array board 500. L-slot 538 is bounded by aconductive strip 570 disposed between the L-slot 538 and the left edgeof antenna array board 500. L-slot 538 is fed by a signal feed port 572disposed near the lower end of L-slot 538.

T-slot element 532 is interposed between L-slot 534 and Y-slot element528 along the left edge of antenna array board 500. T-slot element 532extends from the left edge of antenna array board 500 to a point insideof the innermost extents of L-slots 534, 538. T-slot element 532 isnarrower in the region adjacent to L-slot 534 and wider in the regioninside of the inward extent of L-slot 534.

T-slot element 540 is interposed between L-slot 538 and straight slot510 along the left edge of antenna array board 500. T-slot element 540extends from the left edge of antenna array board 500 to a point insideof the innermost extents of L-slots 534, 538. T-slot element 540 isnarrower in the region adjacent to L-slot 538 and wider in the regioninside of the inward extent of L-slot 538.

Straight slot element 536 is interposed between L-slots 534, 538.Straight slot element 536 extends perpendicularly inward from the leftedge of antenna array board 500 toward the center thereof. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, straight slot element 536 extends intoantenna array panel 500 approximately the same distance as T-slotelements 532, 540 extend into antenna array panel 500.

A pair of Y-shaped elements 528, 530 and T-and-slot element 526 aredisposed along the lower edge of antenna array board 500. Y-shapedelement 524 comprises vertical segment 584 and horizontal segment 580.Vertical segment 584 extends up perpendicularly from the bottom edge ofantenna array board 500, parallel to the right edge of antenna arrayboard 500. Vertical segment 584 is separated from the right edge of theantenna array board 500 by conductive strip 578. Horizontal segment 580extends inward from the vertical segment 584 and parallel to the loweredge of antenna array board 500. Horizontal segment 580 is separatedfrom the lower edge of antenna array board 500 by conductive strip 582.

Y-shaped element 528 comprises vertical segment 530 and horizontalsegment 586. Vertical segment 530 extends up perpendicularly from thebottom edge of antenna array board 500, parallel to the left edge ofantenna array board 500. Vertical segment 530 is separated from the leftedge of the antenna array board 500 by conductive strip 562. Signal feedport 564 is disposed at the upper end of vertical segment 530.Horizontal segment 586 extends inward from vertical segment 530 andparallel to the lower edge of antenna array board 500. Horizontalsegment 586 is separated from the lower edge of antenna array board 500by conductive strip 558. Signal feed port 560 is disposed at the inboardend of horizontal segment 586.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the particular elementsdepicted in FIG. 5 have similar geometry, and thus are likely designedfor use with similar frequency ranges. Of course, those of skill in theart will also recognize that there is nothing within the spirit andscope of the present disclosure necessitating such geometry. Alternateembodiments may employ a variety of antenna elements having geometryoptimized for a corresponding variety of frequency ranges. Those ofskill in the art will appreciate that antenna elements placed in closeproximity and sharing common polarity may interfere with antennaperformance. In order to minimize or eliminate interference betweensimilar elements, antenna array board 500 makes use of design featuresproviding various types of diversity, including spatial diversity andpolarization diversity to enhance antenna performance. Spatial diversitymay be achieved by placing similar elements on opposite edges of antennaarray board 500. Polarization diversity may be achieved by aligning thepolarization of the elements with the edges along which they run. Usingthese three design strategies in concert with others known to those ofskill in the art, an optimal antenna design may be achieved.

The antenna elements described above are disposed within the front planeof the antenna array board 500, but those of skill in the art willrecognize that antenna elements may be disposed within the edge planesnormal to the front plane of the printed circuit board, as well. Asnoted above in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, those of skill in the artwill recognize that there is nothing whatsoever within the spirit andscope of the present disclosure limiting it to use with any particularstyle or type of antenna elements, and the teachings of the presentdisclosure may be employed in connection with a wide variety of antennaelement types. As above with respect to antenna array panels 300, 400,at least certain of the elements disposed on antenna array panel 500 maybe selectively coupled to one or more transceivers 104 at a given time,thereby enabling the wireless characteristics of a mobile communicationdevice such as UE 100 or other communications apparatus employingantenna array board 500 to be widely varied and optimized according toconditions. In certain embodiments, this coupling may be effectuated onboth the transmit and receive sides.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method 600 of the present patentapplication with respect to testing a MIMO module in one embodiment.First, a set of antenna elements is selected (block 602). After the setof antenna elements is selected, signal parameters are selected (block604). The signal parameters may include, but are not limited to,frequency, amplitude and phase. After the antenna elements and signalparameters are selected, a signal having the selected signal parametersis transmitted via the selected antenna elements (block 606). Variousantenna characteristics are then recorded according to the observedperformance of the selected antenna elements under the selectedconditions (block 608).

The general method set forth in FIG. 6 may be employed to efficientlygenerate substantial amounts of measurement data in a short period oftime. FIGS. 7A-10C depict measured radiation patterns associated withthe four slot elements 306, 308, 310, 312 of antenna array board 300depicted in FIG. 3. These patterns are intended to represent the typesof data which can be generated via the use of the teachings of thepresent disclosure. The convention employed in the following patterns isas identified by the coordinate datum of FIG. 3. The X-axis is alignedto the top and bottom edges of antenna array board 300, the Y-axis isaligned to the right and left edges of antenna array board 300, and theZ-axis extends orthogonal to the front surface of antenna array board300. The same convention is used for each of FIGS. 7A-10C.

FIGS. 7A-7C depict two-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns forstraight slot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certain conditions. FIG. 7Adepicts a chart showing two-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns forstraight slot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the XYplane (theta=90 degrees). In the graph shown, the outer extent of thegraph represents a signal level of 0 dB, while the first and secondreference dotted lines represent signal levels of −10 dB and −20 dB,respectively. The same convention is used in each of FIGS. 7A-10C. Itcan be seen in FIG. 7A that the E-theta pattern is relativelyattenuated, while the E-phi pattern is relatively strong, with multipleprominent lobes. FIG. 7B depicts a chart showing two-dimensional E-thetaand E-phi patterns for straight slot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certainconditions in the XZ plane (phi=0 degrees). FIG. 7C depicts a chartshowing two-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slotelement 306 of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the YZ plane (phi=90degrees).

The present disclosure may be employed to test straight slot element 308independently of straight slot 306. FIGS. 8A-8C depict two-dimensionalE-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 308 of FIG. 3 undercertain conditions. FIG. 8A depicts a chart showing two-dimensionalE-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 306 of FIG. 3 undercertain conditions in the XY plane. FIG. 8B depicts a chart showingtwo-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 306of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the XZ plane. FIG. 8C depicts achart showing two-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straightslot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the YZ plane.

The present disclosure may be employed to test straight slot element 310independently of straight slots 306, 308. FIGS. 9A-9C depicttwo-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 310of FIG. 3 under certain conditions. FIG. 9A depicts a chart showingtwo-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 306of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the XY plane. FIG. 9B depicts achart showing two-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straightslot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the XZ plane.FIG. 9C depicts a chart showing two-dimensional E-theta and E-phipatterns for straight slot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certainconditions in the YZ plane.

The present disclosure may be employed to test straight slot element 312independently of straight slots 306, 308, 310. FIGS. 10A-10C depicttwo-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 312of FIG. 3. FIG. 10A depicts a chart showing two-dimensional E-theta andE-phi patterns for straight slot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certainconditions in the XY plane. FIG. 10B depicts a chart showingtwo-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straight slot element 306of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the XZ plane. FIG. 100 depicts achart showing two-dimensional E-theta and E-phi patterns for straightslot element 306 of FIG. 3 under certain conditions in the YZ plane.

It should be recognized that at least some of the various arrangementsset forth in the Figures of the present application may comprise anumber of variations and modifications, in hardware, software, firmware,or in any combination, usually in association with a processing systemwhere needed, as components configured to perform specific functions.Accordingly, the arrangements of the Figures should be taken asillustrative rather than limiting with respect to the embodiments of thepresent patent application.

It is believed that the operation and construction of the embodiments ofthe present patent application will be apparent from the DetailedDescription set forth above. While the exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed may have been characterized as being preferred, it should bereadily understood that various changes and modifications could be madetherein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for testing a multiple input multipleoutput (MIMO) antenna module, the method comprising: selecting a set ofslot antenna elements for testing from a plurality of slot antennaelements of the MIMO antenna module, wherein the plurality of slotantenna elements are confined to a peripheral section surrounding acentral region of a printed circuit board (PCB) of the MIMO antennamodule; selecting a set of signal parameters for testing the set of theplurality of slot antenna elements, wherein the set of the plurality ofslot antenna elements are coupled to a radio frequency (RF) multiplexer(RF MUX) circuit for selectively coupling to one or more transceivercircuits, wherein the plurality of slot antenna elements comprise any ofstraight slot elements, T-slot elements, L-slot elements, T-and-slotelements, and Y-slot element; and in response to selecting the set ofsignal parameters, transmitting a signal meeting the signal parametersvia the selected set of the plurality of slot antenna elements disposedon the PCB.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a first antenna element ofthe set of the plurality of slot antenna elements has a firstpolarization and is disposed along a first edge of the PCB.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein a second antenna element of the set of theplurality of slot antenna elements has a second polarization and isdisposed along the first edge of the PCB.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein a second antenna element of the set of the plurality of slotantenna elements has a second polarization and is disposed along asecond edge of the PCB opposite to the first edge.
 5. The method ofclaim 2, wherein a second antenna element of the set of the plurality ofslot antenna elements has a second polarization and is disposed along asecond edge of the PCB that is perpendicular to the first edge.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a first antenna element of the set of theplurality of slot antenna elements has a first polarization and isdisposed along a first edge of the PCB and a second antenna element ofthe set of the plurality of slot antenna elements has a secondpolarization orthogonal to the first polarization and is disposed alonga second edge of the PCB.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the firstand second edges of the PCB are parallel with respect to each other. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second edges of the PCB areperpendicular with respect to each other.
 9. An apparatus for testing amultiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna module, the apparatuscomprising: a plurality of slot antenna elements confined to aperipheral section surrounding a central region of a printed circuitboard (PCB) of the MIMO antenna module; one or more transceivers havingcircuitry for generating signals that meet a selected set of signalparameters, the signals for transmission via a selected set of theplurality of slot antenna elements on the PCB, wherein the plurality ofslot antenna elements comprise any of straight slot elements, T-slotelements, L-slot elements, T-and-slot elements, and Y-slot element; anda radio frequency (RF) multiplexer (RF MUX) circuit for selectivelycoupling a varying combination of the selected set of the plurality ofslot antenna elements to one or more transceivers in order forselectively applying the signals thereto.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein a first antenna element of the selected set of the plurality ofslot antenna elements has a first polarization and is disposed along afirst edge of the PCB.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a secondantenna element of the selected set of the plurality of slot antennaelements has a second polarization and is disposed along the first edgeof the PCB.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a second antennaelement of the selected set of the plurality of slot antenna elementshas a second polarization and is disposed along a second edge of the PCBopposite to the first edge.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein asecond antenna element of the selected set of the plurality of slotantenna elements has a second polarization and is disposed along asecond edge of the PCB that is perpendicular to the first edge.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein a first antenna element of the selectedset of the plurality of slot antenna elements has a first polarizationand is disposed along a first edge of the PCB and a second antennaelement of the set of the plurality of slot antenna elements has asecond polarization orthogonal to the first polarization and is disposedalong a second edge of the PCB.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe first and second edges of the PCB are parallel with respect to eachother.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first and second edgesof the PCB are perpendicular with respect to each other.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more transceivers areconfigured to generate signals compliant with at least one of a GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS) network technology, an Enhanced Data Ratesfor Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Evolution (EDGE)network technology, a 3th or 4th Generation network technology, anIntegrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN) technology, a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) network technology, a Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) network technology, a UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), and/or a Long-Term Evolution(LTE) network technology.
 18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the oneor more transceivers are configured to generate signals compliant withat least one of an IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standard, HiperLan standard,HiperLan II standard, Wi-Max standard, OpenAir standard, and/orBluetooth standard.